Gumdrop Bread

This is a really nice bread for the holidays. The only thing preventing me from making every year is having to cut the gumdrops in half.

1.) In large bowl cream-

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups applesauce

2.)In medium bowl mix-

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cloves

3.)In medium bowl combine-

2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups walnuts

2 pounds spiced gumdrops, cut in half, omit black

Combine 2 to 1 and mix well.  Add 3 and stir to combine.  Pour into 3 greased and floured loaf pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.  Reduce heat to 250 degrees and bake 30 minutes more or until toothpick in center comes out clean.  Do not over bake.  Cool 10 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely.  Yield: 3 loaves